A great choir can shape a young life
IF THE story of how Welsh male voice choir Only Men Aloud rose to UK-wide fame was thrilling, the tale of how the Only Boys Aloud venture is bringing skills, opportunity and confidence to a new generation of singers is downright inspirational.
Wales has seen many great choir leaders, but Tim Rhys-Evans understands that when a dedicated group of people come together to make amazing music with their voices their greatest achievements will go far beyond the concert venue.
The Only Boys Aloud initiative helps young men aged 11 to 19 develop not just their voices but also their self-confidence, inner discipline and ability to work as a team. People from greatly differing social and educational backgrounds commit to work hard and pursue greatness.
An analysis of the impact of the Aloud programme found that for every £1 invested, £13.27 of social benefit was generated for communities. Schemes such as the Aloud Academi and Only Kids Aloud fire the ambitions and stretch the horizons of participants and have the potential to transform young lives.
Mr Rhys-Evans, originally from New Tredegar, has been candid about the challenges he has faced with mental health and bullying, and he knows that the affirmation that can come through music can drive participants forward to academic success.
He has spoken of how he was “made to feel inferior” because he “wanted to make music” and wasn’t “one of the lads”. A key concern is that in Wales a “collective lack of confidence breeds an attitude of indifference to education”.
How many people can remember crushing moments in their childhoods when they were told to “stop showing off ”? Such putdowns – whether by adults or peers – can stop someone chasing a place at a top university or putting in the hours needed to achieve sporting or musical success.
Thankfully, Wales is also home to many role models who prove that people who do not come from wealthy backgrounds can rise to the top of science and the arts. We just need to let more people know, of all ages, that we will be cheering them on when they dare to dream.
The work of the Aloud network is crucial at a time when austerity has strained council budgets and schools, which are rightly under pressure to achieve good results, have to justify how every penny is invested. But music and performance can unlock wonders every child should get to experience.